a t K e n n e d y K r i e g e r i n s t i t u t e

In my mind, I am very brave. I can do anything. I fly like the wind. I am amaz-ing. In my mind, I roar like a lion. I have lots of friends. I am 10 feet tall. In my mind, I have a lot to give.

I make my Mom smile. I am never afraid. In my mind, I am always smiling. I am a champion. In my mind I am full of dreams. I win every race. In my mind, I am very brave. I can do anything.

Every child is born with great potential.Shouldn’t every child have the chance to achieve it?

Physical Therapy

Rehabilitation at the Kennedy Krieger Institute

Rehabilitation is a cornerstone of the Kennedy Krieger

Institute. Founded in 1937 as the Children’s Rehabili-

tation Institute, Kennedy Krieger has a long tradition

of providing the best in rehabilitative services and

making advancements in physical therapy practice

through research.

Our ProgramThe Physical Therapy Department at Kennedy Krieger Institute

provides a broad array of services and support to the many interdi-

ciplinary programs and clinics of the Institute, while at the same

time providing therapy to patients through its own outpatient clinic.

Because of the Institute’s unique understanding of acquired and

developmental disabilities, we have a greater understanding of our

patient’s special needs and bring years of experience and insight to the

care and treatment of each patient.

The Physical Therapy Clinic provides a full range of comprehensive

and specialized physical therapy services to patients with acquired

and developmental disabilities. Every year, our team helps thousands

of patients participate more fully in activities such as sitting, trans-

ferring in and out of positions, walking, and engaging in leisure and

sport activities. We help children with a wide variety of rehabilitative

challenges, ranging from cerebral palsy to brain and spinal cord inju-

ries, enabling them to be more successful and independent at home,

at school, and in their communities.

Our integrated approach to physical therapy brings together a

variety of disciplines from various departments within the Institute

to provide comprehensive evaluations and create customized treat-

ment plans for each patient. The result is an unparalleled integration

of treatment and care—and for patients and families, that means fewer

medical appointments at multiple locations.

The Physical Therapy Clinic offers traditional delivery model treat-

ment in addition to short-term, intensive treatment based on each

individual’s unique therapy goals.

Kennedy Krieger Institute provides care in accordance with all constitutional rights and without discrimination as to race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disability, veteran status or sources of payment for care. Additional safeguards include the preservation of personal dignity as well as cultural, psychosocial, spiritual, and personal values, beliefs, and preferences.

Our Treatment ApproachThe Physical Therapy Clinic at the

Kennedy Krieger Institute uses a

comprehensive and interdisciplinary

approach to create individualized

treatment plans to improve mobility,

flexibility, and the use of assistive devices.

We work one-on-one with each patient to identify challenges in the pa-

tient’s motor skills – the ability to act and move – and to assess conditions

in terms of muscle, bone, and nerve functionality.

Based on individual treatment goals, our team uses a range of therapeutic

exercises and procedures to improve muscle strength, range of motion,

posture, balance, and coordination.

Our physical therapists also make recommendations and provide training

to patients, family, and caregivers in the use of specific equipment and

orthotics to improve mobility and walking.

The clinic offers both long-term and intensive short-term therapy,

depending on patients’ goals:

Traditional Delivery Model — Many patients with developmental and

acquired disabilities require traditional physical therapy — for example,

to assist with mobility or flexibility — often visiting the clinic weekly

on an ongoing basis.

Short-term Intensive Therapy — The clinic also works with patients who

require more intensive therapy in a short amount of time to work on a spe-

cific goal, such as transitioning from a walker to crutches. These patients

typically receive physical therapy for one to three hours a day, three to five

days a week.

Our physical therapists use a

range of therapeutic exercises

to improve:

• Muscle strength

• Range of motion

• Posture

• Balance

• Coordination

Who We TreatWhile have a strong focus on brain and spinal cord injuries, we also work

with children with a wide range of diagnoses and disabilities, including:

• Brain injury

• Cerebral palsy

• Developmental disabilities

• Down Syndrome

• Movement disorders

• Skeletal disorders

• Spina bifida

• Spinal cord injury

• Split Treadmill — Specialized

treadmill with a split belt that

allows therapists to control

direction and speed of each

side of the body to help retrain

nerves and the brain to walk.

Our FacilitiesThe Physical Therapy Department provides support to more than 15 clinics throughout the Institute. The Physical Therapy Clinic is located in our state-of-the-art Outpatient Center located at the heart of our Broadway Campus. From the healing garden to the aquatherapy center, the Outpatient Center is designed to help patients reach their rehabilitative goals and promote the well be-ing of patients and their families. The 2,400 square-foot physical therapy gym is a spacious, light-filled environment featuring the latest rehabilitation technologies.

• Healing Garden — The garden features several outdoor “therapy

rooms” that allow patients to work on their goals. The rooms provide

natural surfaces and challenges, including gravel, curbs, and grass. The

garden also offers families and patients a place of rest and relaxation.

• Aquatherapy Center — Provides

a unique opportunity for patients

to escape the limitations of grav-

ity as they learn new skills and

undergo therapy. Two pools are

equipped with underwater tread-

mills, video systems, sensory tem-

perature controls, and hydraulic

lifts that allow the floors to be

raised and lowered for easy access

by patients in wheelchairs.

• Gait Trainers — Allows patients to sit

and be fully supported or to stand on

their own.

• Up n’ Go — Provides

partial weight-bearing

support and improves

patients’ development

balance skills.

Our TeamThe Physical Therapy Department has a dedicated staff of 70 physical

therapists who are unrivaled in their commitment to the developmen-

tal disabilities community. Many of our therapists have been with the

Institute for more than 20 years, enabling them to build long-term and

caring relationships with patients and families. They are trained and

certified in a variety of specialties, including:

• Manual Therapy — Specialized form of physical therapy delivered

with the hands. Practioners use their hands to help improve range of

motion of joints, reduce pain, and promote relaxation

• Neurodevelopmental Treatment — A hands-on approach for

patients who have difficulty controlling movement as a result of

neurological challenges such as stroke or head injury

• Infant Massage — Special massage to help babies sleep better, be

less agitated

• Casting and Bracing — Therapists use casting and bracing to

increase joint mobility and stability when standing and walking

• Aquatic Therapy — Using the effects of water to help the patients

move, walk, and strengthen their bodies; freedom of movement

• Electrical Stimulation — Using electrical current to stimulate

muscles & nerves and strengthen muscles to help patients improve

mobility, flexibility, and range of motion

• Yoga — Combines principles of yoga and physical therapy to

achieve desired outcomes

As part of the Kennedy Krieger Institute, our team has access to the

knowledge and expertise of a variety of professionals in the fields of

developmental disability, orthopedics, neurology/neurosurgery, genet-

ics, education, and research. “The compassionate staff of the Physical Therapy Clinic have extensive experience working with children with developmental disabilities.” -Laura Jaweed, Director of Physical Therapy

Advancing the Field of Physical TherapyMany of our physical therapists participate in research studies to

advance the field of physical therapy and to bring the latest treatments

to their practice at the Physical Therapy Clinic. A number of our staff

members also hold teaching positions at respected universities and often

present at national and international conferences on physical therapy

and developmental disabilities.

In addition, Kennedy

Krieger’s commitment to

innovative therapies and

the respect we have in the

pediatric community means

we are often asked to use

and evaluate newly devel-

oped rehabilitation equip-

ment. This means we have a

unique opportunity to share

these new technologies with

our patients.

Contact Information

In my mind, I am very brave. I can do anything. I fly like the wind. I am amazing. In

my mind, I roar like a lion. I have lots of friends. I am 10 feet tall. In my mind,

I have a lot to give. I make my Mom smile. I am never afraid. In my mind, I

am always smiling. I am a champion. In my mind I am full of dreams. I win

every race. In my mind, I am very brave. I can do anything. I fly like the wind.

I am amazing.In my mind, I have a lot to give. I make my Mom smile. I am

a champion. my mind, I am always smiling. I am never afraid. In my mind I

am full of dreams. I win every race. In my mind, I am very brave. In my mind,

I am very brave. I can do anything. I fly like the wind. I am amazing. In my

mind, I roar like a lion. I have lots of friends. I am 10 feet tall. In my mind,

I have a lot to give. I make my Mom smile. I am a champion. In my mind,

I am very brave. I can do anything. I fly like the wind. I am amazing. In my

mind, I roar like a lion. I have lots of friends. I am 10 feet tall. In my mind,

I have a lot to give. I make my Mom smile. I am never afraid. In my mind, I

am always smiling. I am a champion. In my mind I am full of dreams. I win

every race. In my mind, I am very brave. I can do anything. I fly like the wind.

I am amazing.In my mind, I have a lot to give. I make my Mom smile. I am

a champion. my mind, I am always smiling. I am never afraid. In my mind I

am full of dreams. I win every race. In my mind, I am very brave. In my mind,

I am very brave. I can do anything. I fly like the wind. I am amazing. In my

mind, I roar like a lion. I have lots of friends. I am 10 feet tall. In my mind, I

To learn more or to make a referral, please call 443-923-9400, toll-free at 888-554-2080, or visit www.kennedykrieger.org.

TTY (for speech and hearing impaired): 443-923-2645

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